This section will compare and contrast the three cases in order to reflect an overall picture of experiences of this group of participants. It will follow the structure of the overall theme table (see Table 1 for a summary).
To begin with the personal aspects, the participants originally started kendo for different reasons, some by a coincidence, some attracted by its oriental nature and some because it was something different from what they have done previously. With time they have discovered deeper meanings of kendo practice. Generally kendo is seen as a tool for personal development. Participants have reported valuing kendo for the
opportunity to challenge themselves and others, to learn new things about themselves, and learn to accept themselves in their individuality. Furthermore, apart from these gains, participants reported gaining strength, self-esteem and developing instincts, the skills and qualities that they transfer from kendo context and use in daily life situations when interacting with people. Moreover, this process of personal development is seen as still in progress and due to the nature of the sport is perceived to have potential to be a life-long experience.
To continue with gender, participants report very dissimilar experiences and attitudes. Eva expresses a very neutral attitude to gender differences almost not referring to gender at all in her story and arguing that people are different no matter what sex they are. Similarly, Laura also expresses strong personal opinion that gender is not an issue, however, in her case awareness that such a view is opposing the dominant views is evident. Contrary, Silvia expresses the view that gender differences matter and that only through noticing and accepting the differences can equality be achieved. She also strongly relates her identity to the feminine identity, taking pride in her distinctiveness in kendo context. Similarly, Laura relates her identity to the ‘strong women’ who contributed significantly to kendo development in Finland and takes pride in that.
Laura is the only one who discussed a violent encounter with hegemonic
masculinity in kendo that almost made her stop kendo. She, however, does not attribute it solely to gender, but more to the fact that kendo was then in early stages of
development and people were simply ignorant of the values of sport. Eva reflects on Laura’s experience and also notes that the incident must have happened earlier, as since she started kendo the attitude to women has been positive. In general, participants see kendo society in Finland as open to everyone regardless of gender, age or skill level.
Laura and Silvia both reflect on gender stereotypes and the process of social construction of gender. They demonstrate awareness that traditional gender norms and related stereotypes are still very deeply ingrained in people’s minds. They see society reinforcing these beliefs on girls through feedback of significant others (parents,
teachers, coaches). Furthermore, they argue that, despite the popular belief, the situation is still like this in Finland. Both Laura and Silvia act as role models challenging gender stereotypes, Silvia by consciously disregarding the social pressure and pursuing her path, Laura simply by being and working hard in kendo. It can be argued that Eva also unconsciously acts as a role model by promoting her gender-neutral perspective through her behaviours.
When it comes to sport, all participants agree that kendo framework promotes equality, as people can practice together regardless of gender, age, height, weight or skill level. Eva further elaborates that the reasons lie in the uniformity of equipment and the fact that kendo focuses on the mental aspect rather that physical. Silvia further discusses another key value of kendo – respect to opponent no matter what. This is also interrelated with equality. Both Eva and Silvia contrast kendo with other sports, arguing that other sports have to deal with media attention, sponsorship issues, are very
competitive and results oriented. They see kendo as free from all this and offering an opportunity to focus only on what is important – the practice itself. Silvia is particularly concerned with values of equality and respect not being successfully implemented in other sports.
Laura, however, does not discuss the latter issues in-depth as it seems that for her it is self-explanatory. No wonder, since she has played a significant role in shaping Finnish kendo culture. It seems that Laura represents the generation of women who opened up the way for other women in kendo. She argues that all these women share the same property, stubbornness, since there have been many challenges in the process.
Although Laura is the one who talks the most about the role of women in Finnish kendo society, both Eva and Silvia agree that the defining feature of Finnish kendo is women’s involvement in its organisation. Furthermore, it is evident that Eva and Silvia also strongly relate their identities to the ‘strong women’ who actively participate in organisation of kendo.
In terms of the socio-cultural context, Laura and Silvia both discuss the differences between the Japanese and Finnish contexts. Laura perceives that the main difference is women’s involvement in organisation of kendo that in Japan is non-existent, while in Finland is a key feature of kendo society. Silvia reflects more on cultural differences, highlighting the conformist and hierarchical nature of the Japanese culture and open-minded and tolerant Finnish culture. Furthermore, Silvia distinguishes between Japanese culture and kendo culture, arguing that one does not need to ‘go native’ to learn kendo.
All participants talk about the situations when these different cultures clash within the kendo context. These cultural encounters in all cases are related to gender.
Participants talk about Japanese senseis having difficulties in accepting a white woman in the dojo, and about the situations when women are not being valued for their hard work simply due to gender. Although participants express disappointment in such
treatment, the fact they have gone so far in kendo suggests they have not given up. In fact, Laura and Silvia see cultural encounters as a learning experience for both parties, teaching accepting people the way they are. Furthermore, Silvia takes pleasure in challenging and transforming the ways people think.
To conclude, participants unanimously see kendo experience as a process of personal development and kendo as a context promoting equality. Although
participants’ attitudes to gender and gender differences vary, they have had similar experiences of gendered cultural encounters. Participants attribute these experiences to cultural differences between Finland and Japan and do not allow it to discourage them from kendo.
6 DISCUSSION
This chapter will discuss the findings of the present study in the light of existing literature. Implications for practitioners will be highlighted and directions for future research indicated. Finally, limitations of the study will be discussed.